Can end seamer



E. LAXO CAN END SEAMER Dec. 20, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 23, 19501N VEN TOR. 4X0

,47' 7' OPA/ Y Dec. 20, 1955 E. I Axo k2,727,481

CAN END SEAMER Filed lay 23, 1950 5 Sheets-Shet 2 BY 7M/5 770i E. LAX@CAN END BEAMER De- 20, w55

5 sheetslms,et 5

Filed may 27J 195g fw a De@ 2%, 1955 LAX@ ZZD-JE CAN END SEMER Filed May25, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ec. 20, E955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 21,195o United States Patent O This invention relates to a double seamercan ends to can bodies.

Double seamers are employed to join can ends and can bodies. Heretofore,two different and non-interchangeable types of machine have beenemployed for forming for joining double seams on round cans and squareor rectangular cans. These machines are so radically different inconstruction and operation that it has not been possible to adapt onetype machine for both operations.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a double seamerwhich is capable, by interchange of a relatively few elements, ofperforming double seaming operations on both round cans and rectangularcans.

In double seamers heretofore employed, a great number of moving partshave been required. Thus, in double seamers intended for use with roundcans, considerable gearing is required to time the various elements ofthe machine, such as the can lifters, the chucks, and the seamingrollers. Double seamers intended for use with rectangular cans are evenmore complex and involve the employment of reciprocating parts.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a doubleseamer which, besides being capable of operation with either rectangularor round cans, has a greatly simplified construction.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a double seamerwhich is capable of operation at high speeds and with low maintenancecosts.

It s a further object of the invention to provide a double seamer foruse with rectangular cans, which is capable of high speed, low costoperation.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from theensuing description and the appended claims.

Certain forms of the invention are illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings and are described hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a staggered, sectional view taken along the line 1 1 ofFigure 2, showing seaming bars for use with rectangular cans.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, vertical mid-section through the machine ofFigure 1 showing a seaming chuck and can lifter.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view as seen along the line 3 3 ofFigure 2, and it shows the lifter cam and one of the lifter rollers.

Figure 4 is a View, similar to that of Figure l, of the same machinemodified to operate on round cans.

Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 but moditied as in Figure4 to operate on round cans.

Figure 6 is a section taken along the line 6 6 of Figure l showing oneof the seaming bars operating upon a can body and can end to form adouble seam, and also showing the means for adjusting the seaming bars.

Figure 7 is a section taken along the lines 7 7 of Figure 2 showing themeans for yieldably mounting the seaming chucks.

Figure 8 is a section taken along the line 8 8 of Figure 2 showing themeans employed for adjusting the seaming chucks for cans of differentheight.

Figure 9 is a section taken along the line 9 9 of Figure 2, showing intop plan, the ring gear and pinion drive for the seaming chucks.

Figures 10 and 1l are fragmentary sectional views through a can body andcan end showing the double seam as it appears at the end of the rst andsecond operations, respectively.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2thereof, a double seamer is shown and is referred to generally as 10. Itcomprises a frame 11 including upright posts 12, and a central, uprightdrive shaft 13. The drive shaft 13 carries and rotates a lower spider 14which is keyed to the drive shaft at 15 and which serves to carry canlifters 16, and it also carries and rotates an upper spider 17 whichcarries seaming chucks 18. The upper spider 17 is adjustable along thelength of the shaft 13, to accommodate cans of different height, bymeans which will now be described.

Referring to Figures 2 and 8, the spider 17 has a hub which is slidablealong the shaft 13 and also along a gear rack 26 which is received in agroove formed along the shaft 13. The gear rack 26 is clamped in placeby means of cap screws 27. The upper end of the hub 25 is formed with anannular groove 28 to receive a split clamping collar 29, the two halvesof which are clamped together by means of cap screws S). A boss 31 onthe collar 29 is formed with a passage 32 to receive a shaft 33 andpinion 34. The pinion 34 meshes with the gear rack 26. Clamping collars35 are provided to retain the shaft 33 in proper position. It will beapparent that, as the shaft 33 is rotated in one direction or the other,the spider 17, and with it the seaming chucks 18, will be moved up ordown to accommodate cans of different height. When it is desired. tomake an adjustment, the cap screws 30 are loosened and the shaft 33 isturned to the left or to the right until proper adjustment has beenmade. Then the cap screws 30 are again tightened, thus firmly clampingthe spider in adjusted position on the drive shaft 13.

As shown in Figure 1, rectangular can bodies 36 and correspondingrectangular can ends 37 are fed to the double seamer, at a pointindicated as A, by a can body chute 38 and a can end feed mechanism 39,respectively. The can body chute 38 may be of conventional design, andmay feed the can bodies to the double seamer by gravity or by positivemeans. The can end feed 39 may also be of conventional design. It isrotated by a shaft 40, which will be driven in timed relation to thedrive shaft 13 of the double seamer, and is formed with the radialpocket 41 to receive the can ends. Each can end is deposited on a canbody as the two reach the point A. The first seaming operation (see Fig.l0) is commenced and is effected by a first operation seaming barindicated by the numeral 42. The second seaming operation (see Fig. 11)is then commenced and is eifected by a second operation seaming bar 43.When each can body and its end reach the point indicated as B in Fig. l,each can end will have been joined to its can body by means of a doubleseam such as shown in Fig. l1. The cans are discharged at B, aconventional dellector bar 44 being shown which operates to dellect thecans onto an exit conveyer 45.

Referring again to Figure 2, as each can body and can end is deliveredto the point A of the double seamer, the can body is deposited on alifter 16. As shown in Figure 1, eight chucks 18 and eight lifters 16are provided, although a greater or lesser number may be providedaccording to specilic needs and desires. Each lifter comprises a padwhich is yeldably mounted in the manner described in detail hereinafter,and also a shaft 51 which is slidably and rotatably carried in a bushing52 within a collar 53. Each collar 53 is formed at the outer end of anarm 54 of the spider 14. The lower end of the shaft 51 is provided witha cam follower roller 55 which is rotatably Vmounted on a stub-shaft 56which is rotatably carried by the lower end of the shaft 51 and isclamped in position ,by means of a nut 57. The roller rides on acircular cam 58 which is clamped to the frame 11 by means of a clampingring 59 and cap screws 60. A shoe 61 carried by a stub-shaft 56 bearsagainst the cam 58 and serves asa guide for the lifter.

As shown in Figure 3, the cam 58 has a high-dwell 62, a low-dwell 63 anda rise 64. lt also has a corresponding recede (not shown). The rise `64is located in registry with the entry point fA, so that each lifter 16is elevated just after a can end or can body are kdeposited thereon,thereby firmly clamping the can end and body between the lifter andthecorresponding chuck. The

' recede is located at station B, lso as to release the can body and endwhen the seaming operations have been completed.

The lifter pad 50 is clamped to a lhub or collar 7S by means ofY capscrews 71. Ball bearings 72 are provided to take up thrust loads androller bearings 73 are provided to take up radial loads. Expansionsprings 74 operate to urge the lifter pad 50 upwardly. 1t will thereforebe apparent that each lifter pad will yield slightly under pressure,thus allowing it to adjust itself to slight differences in the height ofcan bodies and the thickd ness of can ends. A screw 74a and cap 74bserve to retain the lifter pad assembly in position.

Each seaming chuck 18 is carried by 'a'collar or yoke 75 at the outerend of an arm 76 of the spider 17. Each chuck comprises a tubularspindle 77 to the lower end of which is threaded a cap, or the chuckproper, designated as 78. The cap 78, as `shown in Figure 2, has arectangular end 79 to fit the rectangular can ends 37. When a can andcan end have been deposited at A, and the lifter pad 50 has beenelevated by the cam 5S, the can and can end are firmly clamped betweenthe lifter pad 50 and the cap 73.

The spindle 77 is carried in ball bearings 8i), the outer races of whichare carried in a sleeve 81. A tiange 32 at the lower end of the spindle77, annular shoulders 83 within the sleeve 81 and nuts 84 threaded onthe spindle 77 near the upper end thereof, serve to clamp the spindle inthe sleeve 81.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 7, each chuck 18 is urged radially andoutwardly for the purpose of holding the can body and can end firmlyagainst the seaming bars, by means which 'will now be described. Thesleeve 81 is formed with ears or lugs 85 each of `which is formed with apair of 'holes S6 (only one of which is shown in Figure 7) to slidablyreceive socket head cap screws 87. An expansion spring S8 is mounted oneach of the screws 87 and is compressed between one of the lugs S5 and aself-locking nut 89, thereby serving to urge the chuck radially andoutwardly. lt will, therefore, be seen that each chuck willautomatically adjust itself to round cans of diierent diameters, and tothe variable distance between the chuck axis and points on the peripheryof' rectangular cans. Also, each chuck will: at all times hold its canbody and can end firmly against the seaming bars.

It will also be seen that the self-locking nuts 89 are located so closeto ribs 90 formed on the spider arms 76, that they cannot turn andcannot, therefore, loosen due to vibration of the machine. Access to thechuck is provided by means ofl a detachable cover member 91 which isclamped in lplace by'means of cap screws 92.

Inasmuch as the cans exhibit a tendency to adhere to the seaming chucks18 when the first and second seaming operations have been accomplished,a cam knock-out mechanism is provided and is illustratedy in Fig. 2.This mechanism includes a knock-out rod 99 which' is slidable in anaxial passage 100 extending through the spindle '77.

The rod 99 is threaded at its upper end to receive a threaded knob 101and, also, a cap 102. An expansion spring 103 is compressed between ashoulder 104 formed in the spindle 77 and the cap 102. The expansionspring 103 will normally hold the knock-out rod 99 in an elevatedposition, but when the spindle reaches the position B shown on Figure l,the knob 101 will strike a cam (not shown) to cause the rod 99 to movedownwardly and thereby knock the can free from the chuck.

In forming double seams on rectangular cans, it is desirable to providea positive means for rotating the seaming chucks 18. To this end amechanism is provided which will now be described in detai. Referring toFigures 2 and A9, a pinion 105 is fitted over each spindle 77 above thespider arm 76 and yis welded to or made integral with a hub extension166. A hub 107 is provided which is keyed at 108 to the spindle 77. Aclamping ring 109-andcap screws `110 serve to clamp the several parts tothe spindle.

Each pinion meshes with a ring gear 111 which is xed Vto the frame ofthe machine. As the drive shaft 13, and with it the spider 17 and chucks18 rotate, lit will beapparent that each pinionV 105 will roll on thestationary ring gear 111 and will, therefore cause-each chuck 18 torotate about its own axis while it -is rotated about the axis of thedrive shaft 13. The pinion -gears 105 and ring gear 111 are selected toprovide a minimum degree of slippage of the cans on the seaming bars.The ring gear 111 is mounted on the frame of the machine by means ofsplit collars 112, which are clamped by means of cap screws 113 to theposts 12, kand cap screws 114.

The chucks 18 cooperate with the stationary seaming bars 42 and 43. Thechucks, through the medium of springs 88 (see Figure 7) serve to holdthe can ends and can bodies yieldably but firmly in contact with theseaming bars, which receive the angedends of the can bodies and theprojecting edges ofthe can ends and perform the actual seamingoperation.

Referring now to Figures 2 andA 6, each seaming bar 42 and 43 is formedwith a seaming groove 120. The seaming groove of thev first operationseaming bar 42 differs from that of the second operation bar '43.However, the grooveof each bar is uniform along its length. Each bar isbiased or warped, by means which will now be described, to accomplishthe intended seaming operation. Essentially, the seaming grooves of thebars 42 and 43 are the same as the seaming grooves formed in the seamingrollers of conventional double sea-mers. How-- ever, as will beapparent, the operative seaming elements of my machine, that is to saythe bars 42 and 43, are stationary, whereas the seaming rollers ofconventional dou-l ble .seamers are moving parts. Of course', the`machine of my invention could be constructed. sozthat the Vseaming bars42 and 43 would move. Preferably, :however, they are stationaryelements, and the chucks` are caused to move.

It will be seen from .an inspection of Figure 1 that the seaming bars 42and 43 have al wavy .or undulating contour on their inner edges 121. Theedge 121 of eachV bar includes high points or segments 122, vlow pointsor segments 123, and transition points or inections 124 between the lowand thev high segments. As each chuck 18 rotates a can body and can end,the' high segments 122 will be in rolling contactwith the long Vdatsides of the can and the low segments 123 will be in rolling contactwith the short sides 126 of the can. TheV inection points 124 wiil be inrolling `contactwithV thev corners 127 of the can, and will serve; toguide the can around its corners. The can body and can endare-'meanwhile positively rotated by means of thechuck 18, the pinion105 and the ring gear 111.

The unit pattern of the guide edge 120 for oblong can such as shown aft37, will' be two high lsegments 122 each constituting an arc generatedto be `inrollingl contact with a long side 125 of the can; two lowsegments' 123 each constituting an arc generated to be in rollingcontactwith a short side 126 of the can; and two inflection points 124 eachhaving the same radius as a can corner 127. It will be apparent, ofcourse, that the pattern of the guide edge 120 will be generatedditerently for cans of different shape and size. Thus, a simple pattern(four high segments and four inection points) will be employed forsquare cans. It will also be apparent that the principle of my seamingbar is equally applicable to cans of other shapes, e. g., hexagonal andelliptical shapes.

lt will also be apparent that each can body and can end will be turnedseveral times, specifically, about four and a half times, during itstravel along each of the seaming bars. The number of turns may bevaried, of course. Thus, a shorter bar having fewer turns may beemployed. However, it is preferred to perform the seaming operationsgradually, and to this end relatively long bars are employed and thecans are turned several times. A better product results.

To effectively accomplish the seaming operations, and instead oftapering the seaming grooves 120, each seaming bar is warped or biasedso that its leading or front end 135 is located at a greater distancefrom the axis of main drive shaft 13 than its trailing or rear end 136.This biasing is accomplished by means which will now be described.

Referring to Figure 6, it will be seen that each seaming bar is carriedin a groove 137 formed in a circular mounting ring 138. The mountingring 138 is clamped to posts 12 (see Figures 1 and 2) by means of splitcollars 139 and cap screws 140 and 141. As shown in Figure 2, eachseaming bar is formed at intervals with clearance holes 142 to receivecap screws 143. The holes 142 arev of substantially greater diameterthan the cap screws 143, so that the seaming bar can be adjustedinwardly and outwardly in the groove 137. When appropriate adjustmenthas been made the seaming bar is clamped tightly in adjusted position bytightening the cap screws 143.

Referring more particularly to Figure 6, radial adjustment means 144 isprovided for accomplishing a precise adjustment and warping of theseaming bars. (As shown in Figure l, there are several of the radialadjustment means 144 for each of the seaming bars 42 and 43.) Themounting ring 138 is formed with a radial clearance hole 145 for eachadjustment means 144. Each hole 145 receives a tubular cap screw 150,the inner end of which is intended to bear against a seaming bar.Another cap screw 151 extends through the axial passage 152 formed inthe screw 150 and the cap screw 151 is threaded into the seaming bar at153. A nut 154 is threaded onto the cap screw 150 within the groove 137,and a lock nut 155 is threaded onto the cap screw 150 on the exterior ofthe mounting ring 138.

Adjustment of each seaming bar is accomplished in the following manner:Assuming that it is desired to move a portion of the seaming bar 42inwardly of the machine, the lock nut 155 of the correspondingadjustment means 144 will be loosened and the tubular cap screw 150 willbe turned in clockwise direction. This will force the seaming barinwardly. When suitable adjustment has been made, the lock nut 155 willbe tightened. If it is desired to move a portion of the seaming bar 42outwardly, lock nut 155 and screw v151 will be loosened. The cap screw150 will then be turned in a counterclockwise direction to retract itfrom the seaming bar. The cap screw 151 will be tightened and as it istightened, it will draw the seaming bar outwardly. When appropriateadjustment has been made, the lock nut 155 will b e tightened. It willbe seen that the clearance hole 145 is of greater diameter than the capscrew 150. Accordingly, the radial adjustment means 144 willautomatically align itself so that it will always be perpendicular tothe seaming bar.

By appropriate manipulation of the various radial adjustment means 144,each of theseamingbars 42 vand 43. 754

' axis of shaft 13 will 6 can be quickly, easily and accuratelyadjusted. Thus, each bar will be given a gradual taper toward the centerof the machine, i. e., the distance from the bar to the graduallydecrease from the leading end to the trailing end 136 of the bar.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, which are similar to Figures l and 2,respectively, and in which similar parts are similarly numbered, theseviews show the same machine as that of Figures 1 and 2, but with certainmodifications to adapt it to operating on roundcans. Round can bodiesare shown in Figure 4 at 36a and round can ends are shown at 37a. Aseaming chuck 18a is shown in Figure 5. This chuck is identical to theseaming chuck 18 of Figure 2 except that the cap or the chuck proper,indicated as 78a, has a round end portion 79a to conform to the shapeand diameter of a round can end. Also, it is not necessary in thisembodiment of the invention to positively rotate the chucks 18a; theround can bodies and ends will rotate freely by frictional engagementwith the seaming bars. Therefore, as will be apparent from an inspectionof Figure 5, the pinion and its associated parts, and the ring gear 111are removed. The rst and second operation seaming bars 42a and 43a,respectively, are similar to seaming bars 42 and 43, respectively, ofFigures l and 2. rThus, each of them includes a seaming groove 120:1 andeach bar is mounted for radial adjustment by the same means 144 shown inFigures l and 2. However, as will be apparent from an inspection ofFigure 4, each of the seaming bars 42a and 43a has an inner edge 121:1which constitutes an arc of a circle; i. e., it does not have a wavy,undulating shape.

It will thus be apparent that a double seamer has been provided havingnumerous advantages. The machine as a whole is very simple in itsconstruction and operation. The number of moving parts is much less thanin conventional double seamers for operating on round cans. Thissimplification and reduction of moving parts is even greater incomparison with conventional double seamers for operating on rectangularcans.

A further, and very important advantage of the invention is that thesame machine may be employed for both round cans and rectangular cans;it is necessary to interchange only a very few parts and to make a fewadjustments. Thus, it is necessary only to substitute a different chuckand diiferent seaming bars, and to add or remove the ring gear-piniongear assembly. i

A further, very important advantage of the machine is that it is capableof operation at high speeds.

Among the other and more specific advantageous features of the inventionmay be mentioned the following: The seaming operation is accomplished bystationary members, namely, the seaming bars, and the chucks are urgedresiliently and radially outwardly to maintain the cans in contact withthe seaming bars. This constitutes a departure from previous designs inwhich the seaming element itself has been a moving part. Simplificationof manufacture and operation result. Thus, conventional double seamers,both for round cans and rectangular cans, employ seaming rollers.Operation of these seaming rollers requires a large amount of gearingand cams. This, of course, adds to the initial cost and also tomaintenance costs of the machine. By way of contrast, the stationaryseaming bars of my invention require very little gearing and no cams.Initial cost and maintenance cost are, therefore, considerably less.

Moreover, conventional double seamers' for rectangular cans employ camsof such a character that operation is necessarily slow. This isreliected in the cost of the cans. In fact, the differential in cost ofround and rectangular cans is due in great measure to this slow speed ofoperation. By way of contrast, my machine is capable of high speedoperation with rectangular cans.

Yet another advantage of the invention resides-in the adjustability ofthe chucks whereby their angular relavtionship to the seaming bars canbe adjusted. Refermamar 7 ring to Figures 1, it will: be seen that: theli'rs't" portieriY of they seaming bar 42" (i. ei, the first operationseaming bar) is a long segmentIZZ corresponding to'a long side 125` ofafcan endf. Accordingly, each chuck' should be adjusted to presentoneend' 0E astraight side 125` to thel seaming bar 42 at thecommencement of the seaming operation. Such adjustmcntvcanfbe made veryeasily. Referring toFigure` 2, it will be seen that, on loosening capYscrews'110, the spindle 77 of each chuck can be rotated-freely, andtherefore adjusted, and' caribe clamped' in adjusted position bytightening the cap screws lle.

Ifn theY appended claims, where the phrase continuous seaming bar orsingle, continuous seaming bar is Ven.- ployed, it is to be understoodthat a seaming bar constructed in two sections or segments is includedVwhere the sections or segmentslie on the same linel or are.

I claim:

l. A double seamer comprising astationary frame, rotaryY chuck' meansfor receiving superimposed can bodies and ends at a receivingr stationand for rotating the same through an arcuate path from said receivingstation to a discharge station, a stationary seaming member carried. bythe frame and hav-ing seaming means cooperable. with said chuck means.and disposed along said arcuate path,. and radial adjustment means for`said seaming member for biasingl the same toward the chuck axis, said'adjustment means comprising a plurality of adjustment. units spacedabout said seaming member, each said unit comprising a first tubularscrew threaded to the 0 frame and bearing against the seaming member, asecond screw extending` through said first screw and threaded to theseaming member'and `means for locking said first. screw inadjustedposition.

2v A double seamer comprising a stationary frame, rotary chuck means forreceivingY superimposed can bodiesl and can endsV at a receiving stationand for rotating the lsamel through anv arcuate path from said receivingstation toa discharge station, a stationary seaming member in the formof an arcuate bar carried by the frame and having an arcuate grooveformed along one edge thereof cooperable with said chuck means toreceive a can body and can edge. and' to form a seam, and radialadjustment means for said seaming member for biasing the same toward thechuck axis, said adjustment means comprising aY plurality of adjustmentunits spaced about said seaming member, each said unit comprising aiirst tubular screw threaded' to the. frame and bearing against theseaming member, a second screw extending through said lirst. screw andthreaded to the seaming member and means for locking said first screw inadjusted position.

3.. A double seamer comprising a stationary frame including a mountingring having a groove formed therein along its .innerV edge, rotary chuckmeans mounted for rotation. coaxially of and within said ring', saidchuck means being` operable to receiveI superimposed can bodies and.-ends at. al receiving station, to cause each body and end to traverse anarc adjacent said ring and to deliver each can' body and endl to adischarge station, a seaming bar received within said groove for rollingContact with said can bodies and ends to. form a double seam therein,and radialV adjustment means for warping the bar to bias it graduallytoward the chuck, said adjustment means comprising a plurality' ofadjustment units' spaced about the periphery of said seaming bar, eachsaid unit comprising a iirst, tubular screw extending transverselythrough said mounting ring and' into said groove and bearing against.the outer edge of said seaming bar, a nut threaded to said first screwand located non-rotatably within said groove, a lock nut threaded tosaid first screw ou the exterior of said mounting ring, and4 a secondscrew extending through said rst screwA and'in threaded engagement' withsaid seaming bar. I

4. A double seamer for rectangular cans, comprising a frame, rotarylchuck means rotatable about a central axisI and including a plurality ofchucks each operable to therewith and fixed to. eachy chuck.

seaming bar, radial, Vself-aligning adjustment means fory graduallywarping thev seaming bar towardv said central axis, and means forApositively rotating said chucks including a stationary ring gear andl apinion meshing 5.. Amachine foriseaming can ends to can bodies whichcomprises a first seamingl bar having aseamingV groove for performingthe rst seaming operation, andy a second seaming bar having a seaminggroove for performing the second seaming operation, said bars beingarranged concentrically of a central? axis and lying along arcs of asingle circle having` its center on said axis; said machine alsocomprising at least onel chuck forvr clamping a can body and can end insuperimposed relation, means mounting' said chuck for rotation aboutsaid central axis and A for movement toward and from I said yseaminggrooves,

and means yieldably urging said chuck toward saidl grooves to hold saidcan body and superimposed can end in operative relationfto said groovesbut tov allow movement away from said grooves in response to an extra.thickness of metal.

6. A machine for seaming can ends to can bodies which comprises astationary frame, a single, arcuate seaming bar having an arcuateseaming groove on the inner surface thereof for performing the seamingoperation, means rigidly securing said seaming bar to said frame, aplurality of chuck means, each clamping a can body and a can end inassembled relationship, said chuck means being positioned within saidarc of said seaming bar'adjacent said seaming groove, means rotatablysupporting the chucks and' moving the sameY in an arcuate path alongsaid seaming groove with all cany assemblies in substantiallyuninterrupted engagement with said arcuate seaming groove throughout theseaming operation, said,k

chuck supporting means including means resiliently urging each of saidchucks and their can assemblies outwardly toward said seaming groovecontinuously throughout' the seaming operation.

7. A machine'for seaming can ends to can bodies comprising a seaming barhaving a rst seaming groove for performing a' first seaming operationanda second seaming groovefor performing a second seaming operation,said. seaming grooves lying along' arcs of a'single circle, a rotarychuck for clamping a can body' andv a can end in superimposed relation,meansl mounting said chuck for rotation about the center' of said circleand for movement toward and from said seaming grooves, and meansyieldably urging said chuck toward said seaming grooves to hold the canbody and superimposed can end in engagement with said seaming groovesbut to allow movement away from said seaming grooves in response toextra thickness of metal in the seam` beingV formed.

S. A ring-type endseamer, comprising a frame, a generally circularlseaming ring fixed to the frame, and a plurality of rotary chuck means,each clamping a can body and can end together, and means for moving androtating the same in contact with said seaming ring, said ring having aseaming edge for continuous contact with the assembled can bodies andends, said seaming edge lying generally along a circular arc but havinga undulating contour consistingofa plurality of repetitive units, eachunit corresponding to the complete periphery of a non-circular can bodyand end and said seaming edge having a first operation section and asecond operationV section corresponding to thel rst and secondoperations forming a double end seam.

9. A seaming machine for forming an end seam on can bodies and can endsof nou-circular shape, said machine comprising a txed arcuate seamingbar having an undulating repetitive pattern consisting of a plurality ofunits, each corresponding to the periphery of a non-circular can bodyand can end assembly, a plurality of rotary chuck means, each clamping acan body and can end together and mounted for rotating the same throughan arcuate path in contact with said seaming bar, said chuck means beingrotatable about their own axes to permit rolling of the can body and endon said seaming bar, and adjustment means for angular adjusting of saidchuck means relative to the seaming bar to register the contour of thenon-circular can body and end with the pattern of the seaming bar.

10. A can end seamer comprising a frame, a seaming bar having agenerally arcuate seaming edge stationanly fixed to said frame, aplurality of chuck means, each of said chuck means rotatably supportingand clamping a non-circular can body and can end in superposedrelationship, means for moving said chuck means in an arcuate path alongand in contact with said seaming edge, said seaming edge having anundulating contour consisting of a plurality of repetitive units each ofwhich corresponds to the complete, non-circular periphery of eachsuper-posed can body and can end assembly.

11. A can end seamer comprising a stationary frame; a seaming bar fixedto said frame and having a seaming edge, said seaming edge having anundulating, repetitive pattern consisting of a plurality of units eachof which corresponds to the complete periphery of a can body and can endassembly of non-circular shape; and a plurality of rotary chuck meanseach clamping a non-circular can body and can end assembly together andmeans for moving such chuck and can assemblies along and in rollingContact with said seaming edge.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS542,441 Gould July 9, 1895 586,661 Holden July 20, 1897 836,735Brenzinger Nov. 27, 1906 1,104,751 Wegner July 21, 1914 1,143,976 KruseJune 22, 1915 1,278,941 Kruse Sept. 17, 1918 1,306,648 Warme June 10,1919 1,313,998 Kruse Aug. 26, 1919 1,436,761 Gray Nov. 28, 19222,460,296 Kinney Feb. 1, 1949

